Cambridge Bay wrestler wins gold for Team Nunavut at Canada Summer Games
Eekeeluak Avalak’s victory historic achievement for team
It’s a gold for Team Nunavut. Eekeeluak Avalak made history Thursday afternoon in St. Catharines, Ont., with a victory in the Canada Summer Games men’s wrestling final. Avalak, who is 18 years old and hails from Cambridge Bay, took on Alberta’s Fred Calingay, who walked away with silver. The bronze winner is Tristan Sears, from Ontario. Team Nunavut has only medalled once before at the Canada Games, when in 2007 it earned a bronze in judo, in the winter games. Team Nunavut has never won a medal in the Canada Summer Games. (Photo by Denis Cahill, Special to Nunatsiaq News)
It’s a gold for Team Nunavut.
Eekeeluak Avalak made history Thursday afternoon, with a victory in the Canada Summer Games men’s wrestling finals.
Avalak, who is 18 years old and hails from Cambridge Bay, took on Alberta’s Fred Calingay at about 2:45 p.m. ET., and won.
His win prompted the crowd to give him a standing ovation as he ran across the mat with a Nunavut flag.
The match was held at the Canada Games Centre in St. Catharines, Ont.
Team Nunavut has only medalled once before at the Canada Games, when in 2007 it earned a bronze in judo, in the winter games. Team Nunavut has never won a medal in the Canada Summer Games.
Nunatsiaq News will have coverage of the win later on Thursday.
Cambridge Bay is behind you all the way Eekee! Good luck today young man! We’re all so proud of you and Team Nunavut as a whole. Chris and Paula have done amazing work building a positive outlet and culture of success on and off the mat. Thank you all for this excitement, we’re behind you 100%!
I hope this kid tries MMA next, Amazing to watch and I think he’d be great at it
Go Eekee go! Great wrestler, even better person. Love watching him dominate his competition. You make Cambridge Bay proud!
Awesumer wrestler. Good luck Eekee!
This is the best kind of young people and should be an inspiration to other young in Nunavut. Yes!
Wow, tremendous accomplishment. Next stop, the Olympics!
So good to hear and see!
You’ve come along way Eekee, I’m so proud of you, so inspiring and touching. Sending deep hugs to you, the team and the family ?